Are you a woman who wants to go back to school, get a new job, or otherwise change your career? You can quit a job you’re tired of and change your path! This career advice is inspired by Suze Orman, who encourages women to find work they love — even if it means going back to school or taking a low-paying job.
But, getting another diploma or degree isn’t the solution in all situations:
“Going back to school makes sense only if it is a necessary step in a well-conceived career change,” writes Orman in The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke. “Otherwise, it’s just a bad excuse to get out of a situation that isn’t working for you.”
For more solid money and career advice, click The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous, and Broke by Suze Orman. And, read on for tips on successfully changing careers, some of which are based on her book…
How to Successfully Change Careers – Suze Orman
Think career, not short-term job. When I first started freelance writing (I’m The Adventurous Writer), my husband kept talking about my “writing career.” That freaked me out at first, but then I began to think about my writing that way…as a career, not just a dream, goal, or way to pay the bills. It changed how I organize my workday, what I focus on, and what types of magazine assignments I accept.
Learn how to cope with failure – and build your resilience. Successful women fail a lot – and they bounce back a lot more! Learn how to overcome failure, recover from setbacks, and focus on your long-term vision. Expect that you’ll have to struggle to achieve your goals…because good things rarely come easily.
Make sure your choices take you in the right direction. Before you decide to take a class, quit a job, accept a promotion, or take on a new client, ask yourself if that choice moves you towards your long-term career goals. Avoid the inclination to dismiss your needs to make other people happy or fulfill their expectations (read Letting Go of Other People’s Expectations – Maria Shriver for help with this). Surround yourself with women who are where you want to be…or who are getting where they want to go.
Build a financial cushion before starting a new career. “If your new job involves going back to school, even part-time, or taking a new job at lower pay, I want you to take the time to build up a bit of a cash cushion to help you through the transition,” writes Orman. When you’re leaving a job you hate or that doesn’t suit you, the last thing you need is create financial stress! So, scale down on the extras and focusing on pursuing your passions.
Aim for the right opportunities – not the best money. “The right job at the right company in the right field is your goal early on,” writes Orman. “Follow your passion. There will be plenty of time to make money down the line.” Of course, this works best when you’re not struggling to pay the bills or feed your kids! Read 7 Unusual Tips for Spending Less Money for a different perspective on saving money when you’re starting a new career.
Don’t rely on the internet if you’re changing careers. If you post your resume on job sites or email it to potential employers, you’ll be lost in a sea of blurry faces. Instead, visit the people and places you actually want to work with or for. Make phone calls. Your computer is fabulous for research – but successfully starting a new career requires face-to-face interaction.
What have I missed? If you have any questions or tips on successfully changing careers, please comment below!
Great post, Laurie!
As someone who has personally changed careers twice in my life thus far, and who has had mentors to help that shift, as well as mentoring others through the same, I only see 2 things I’d like to add.
The final note about not relying on the internet – I would recommend getting Linked-in connections to people in your target field, and then requesting phone or in-person “informational interviews”. Tell them it will only take 30 minutes, and offer to schedule at their convenience.
Then you can ask questions about what education or experience you’ll need under your belt to get where you want to be, what might set you apart as a candidate, and you’d be making a valuable contact for the future. Give them a copy of your resume, and don’t ask for anything but friendly advice. If you’re in a highly competitive field – link up with someone in a distant market who won’t see you as a competitor and use email and telephone.
The second thing is actually part of what I hint at in the first. Find the baby steps that will get you headed in the direction to meet your goals. One great way to do that is to find projects in your existing job that you can add to your “experience tool belt”.
For example, when I was working in a very numbers-oriented IT job at the phone company, and I wanted to become a writer, I asked to be able to write an article for the next newsletter. The boss saw it as taking strange but good initiative, I saw it as getting actual work experience toward my new direction. I was honest with my boss about my dreams and goals, and he helped me find new ways to do that (e.g. writing technical manuals instead of just running reports. Yes, technical writing’s not exciting, but “check” toward more paid writing experience!)
Try to think of “crossover” positions that might help you – positions that take advantage of your existing skill set and your target goal. This takes a LOT of research and brainstorming, but can be very rewarding.
Last, but not least, think of every new job as a semester at “Experience University.” Think of your workload as your class load, and figure out if you need to take some pre-requisites before you change majors. Ask your boss to do something in that direction.
It sounds silly to talk with your boss about your long-term career goals if it means “robbing” them of your valuable service, but a good boss will be interested in developing you in a direction you want to move in. It will make you happier and more motivated in the mid-term, and can payoff well for the company if you transfer internally rather than leaving.
Alicia King´s last blog post..Abrupt Change of Direction
Wow, these are great tips for changing careers, Alicia — thank you!
Your story of writing for your company newsletter is a perfect example of making sure your choices are taking you in the right direction. I love it. And, you’re a “real” writer now because of it and other smart decisions you’ve made.
I like your idea of “informational interviews” with potential employers, and even with people who have jobs you want. Before I started freelance writing, I met with a writer whose articles I’d read in Canadian Living. We went for lunch, I picked her brains about a writing career, and I still email her now when I have questions. I guess she’s my mentor.
LinkedIn isn’t somewhere I’ve been yet…too much other stuff on the go (Twitter, Facebook, blogs, work, on and on and on….). It must work for you?
Thanks for being part of See Jane Soar
Laurie
Laurie PK´s last blog post..7 Types of Credit Card Fees – and How to Avoid Them
I think the one about looking at it as a career rather than a short-term job is huge. It’s hard for a lot of people, if they make the move to work at home, to respect their own business.
A few things that have really helped me and the writers I’ve coached are:
- Have a plan for each day. Don’t just dive in and put out fires all day – set a few goals so by the end of the day, you know you’ve accomplished something.
- Work on your business consistently. No matter what it is, every business needs marketing – and that should be done every day… even if you’re busy.
- Build systems so you’re not constantly reinventing the wheel. If there’s a task you expect to have to do more than once, document how you do it. Ultimately you may be able to outsource it – and by having the documentation done, it’s a lot easier to train someone to help you.
Thanks for a great post. Looks like a wonderful book.
Sue, you’re so right about the importance of having a plan for each day. I used to meander through my days — I’d be working all day, but I didn’t have a PLAN. Now, I have my days and weeks structured so I don’t flail about, trying to figure out what I should work on next.
But, I’ve been procrastinating on building time in to work on my book chapters, which a publisher is waiting for. Your comment has made me realize that I need to get on that today. No more putting it off!
Thanks for your tips, they’re really helpful. I especially like your last one, about documenting your tasks so you can outsource it more easily…what a great way to focus on success and growth!
Laurie
Laurie PK´s last blog post..Ideas for Halloween Theme Parties
These are great tips — thank you!
You’re welcome, Cristy.
If you have any questions on successfully changing careers, please feel free to ask.
Laurie
Laurie PK´s last blog post..7 Ways to Save Money on Back to School Spending
Hi,
I changed careers successfully when I was 35. I went back to school, got my MBA (Master’s of Business Administration), and now I’m the Executive Director of a nonprofit organization. I love what I do, and I’m so glad I quit my previous job as a teacher. I liked teaching, but it wasn’t the right job for me.
If any woman is thinking about changing careers, I urge her to do it as soon as possible! Let the money and family problems sort themselves out. Life’s too short to waste in a job you hate.
Chelsea
It’s more difficult for men to change careers because they’re responsible for making money to support the family.
Hi Peter,
Thanks for your comment; welcome to See Jane Soar!
I don’t think it’s easy to compare men and women with regard to changing careers. There are so many single mother households, which keeps women “stuck” in their jobs. And, most two-parent households need both partners working, which makes it more difficult for either partner to change careers successfully.
But that said, in my household it’d definitely be more difficult for my husband to change careers than it would be for me!
Laurie
Laurie PK´s last blog post..Weight Loss for Teens – How to Lose Body Fat
Hi Chelsea — a belated welcome to See Jane Soar, and thanks for your inspiring comment!
Laurie PK´s last blog post..Weight Loss for Teens – How to Lose Body Fat